Gauchos Defeat Tulsa, Fall to San Diego State on Final Day of Campbell/Cartier Classic

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -
The UC Santa Barbara softball team split a pair of games on the final day of the Campbell/Cartier Classic, defeating Tulsa, 3-4, on Sunday morning before falling to tournament host San Diego State, 4-1, later in the afternoon. With the split, the Gauchos' overall record now stands at 3-6.

In the first game of the day against Tulsa, sophomore first basemen Jessica Ziegler helped lead the Gauchos, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two of UCSB's three runs and a stolen base, while freshman Mary Episcopo was 2-for-3 with a run, a triple, and a stolen base.

Junior pitcher Tami Weston (1-0) recorded her first win of the season after throwing a complete game, allowing one earned run on four hits, with five walks, and seven fanned batters.

With one out at the top of the first inning, Ziegler singled to center field and then stole second before the second Gaucho out. A single to left field from Tisha Duran drove home the first run to put UCSB ahead, 1-0.

In the bottom of the second, an RBI single from Tulsa's Lindsey Tower tied the game at 1-1. The Gauchos responded in the third as Ziegler once again singled, this time to the left field line. Ziegler then advanced to second on wild pitch before scoring on a Tulsa throwing error to regain the Gaucho lead at 2-1.

At the top of the fourth, Episcopo singled to second base and then stole second with one out. A single to left center field from sophomore Kelsey Anderson drove Episcopo home, stretching the lead to 3-1.

Tulsa's Sara Dyer was able to reach first base on a Gaucho error in the sixth inning and single from Lauren Lindsay during the next at-bat put two runners on with no outs. Weston struck out the next batter before another Gaucho error allowed Brooke Smart to reach first base and Dyer to come home on the unearned run. It would be the last run of the game, however, as the Gauchos' held on for the 3-2 win.

In the second pairing of the day, senior Duran was impressive; going 3-for-3 while senior Nicole Churnock was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Sophomore pitcher Lindsey Correa (2-2) took the loss after giving up three runs on two hits in the first inning. Sophomore MeLinda Matsumoto finished the game, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.

San Diego State's Tonye McCorkle opened the game with a walk at the top of the first inning and then stole second. Brittany Knudsen followed with a walk after one out to put two runners on. A double down the left field line from Erin Floros on the next play brought home the first Aztec runner of the game. Knudsen followed with the second run, scoring on an illegal pitch. A single through the left side by Jen Wisneski brought home another runner, putting San Diego State ahead, 3-0.

The first Gaucho hit wouldn't come until the top of the second when Duran led-off with a single, but the UCSB third basemen would be the first of eight Gaucho runners to be left on-base throughout the course of the game.

At the top of third, a Gaucho throwing error allowed Tamani Wells to reach first base and a double to right center from Knudsen brought the runner home, pushing the Aztec lead to 4-0. Following the third inning, Matsumoto was able to silent the Aztec bats, retiring nine straight batters and allowing just one hit in the final four innings.

Down by four at the bottom of the seventh, Anderson led off with a single to the shortstop and then advanced to second on a passed ball. A single from Churnock on during the next at-bat brought Anderson home, cutting the SDSU lead to 4-1. Despite making her way to third base through the next several plays, the Gauchos were unable to bring Churnock home, ending the game with the three-run deficit.

The Gauchos will return to action next weekend when they host the Softball by the Beach Tournament, running Friday through Sunday at Campus Diamond. St. John's and Portland State will be in attendance for the three-day, seven game event.